UNITAS NEWS
covered on all major sports networks
9-30-13:
UNITAS UNVEILS CROWD FUNDING SITE ON INDIEGOGO TO NATIONAL AUDIENCE
Indiegogo launched the Unitas We Stand crowd funding site nationally today where fans across America can participate directly in helping to develop this true Independent Feature Film about the life of the legendary NFL Hall of Fame Quarterback, John Unitas. Joe Unitas, the son of the NFL great, was excited about the launch and said, "We have a great team in place to make a great film. Our fan base is strong and we will invite them to be part of this special project from the start. We all look forward to producing a great inspirational movie that will stand the test of time. I personally invite anyone who is interested in sports or simply good inspirational stories about a real underdog rising to the top of his game to join our team." JOIN THE TEAM
9-22-13:
UNITAS CROWD FUNDING SITE SET TO LAUNCH
The Unitas We Stand crowd funding campaign on Indiegogo will launch this Thursday, September 26th for teammates, fans and friends of movie. Fans from across America and around the world will be able to make their contributions beginning Monday, September 30th when the site opens to everyone interested in being part of this inspirational project. All contributions made to the project through the Indiegogo campaign will go the film's development which will assist the producers in their efforts of moving the film into production. UNITAS-INDIEGOGO CAMPAIGN
8-15-13:
UNITAS WE STAND TEAMS UP WITH INDIEGOGO
Joe Unitas and his producing team have joined forces with crowd-funding giant Indiegogo to help raise funds for the development of the Unitas We Stand movie. The site is slated to launch sometime in late September.
6-5-13:
JOE FLACCO EXCITED TO PLAY JOHNNY UNITAS IN FILM
By Marc Sessler
Around the League Writer
You've likely heard by now that Joe Flacco has been tapped to portray the late Johnny Unitas on celluloid. You've probably also heard that the upcoming film, "Unitas We Stand," has generated mixed reactions from the Unitas clan, with Johnny U's grandson, J.C. Unitas, calling the Baltimore Ravens quarterback an "embarrassing choice" for the role. Flacco -- no stranger to criticism -- says he's honored to play the former Baltimore Colts great. NFL.COM
4-7-13:
FLACCO PLAYING UNITAS NEWS BREAKS NATIONALLY
The story about Joe Flacco playing Johnny Unitas in the action scenes of the 1958 Championship breaks nationally in every major publication across America.
4-3-13:
SUPER BOWL MVP JOE FLACCO TO PLAY UNITAS "UNDER THE HELMET" IN THE MOVIE
Joe Flacco's agent, Joe Linta, notified Joe Unitas, producer of "Unitas We Stand", that Joe Flacco has committed to play his father "under the helmet" in the movie which the younger Unitas co-wrote. In the email sent last week, Linta goes on to say that "Flacco is excited and honored by the opportunity and looks forward to the role." Joe Unitas' goal is to maintain the integrity of the story and the realism of the football action sequences, "Flacco is the perfect guy to play my dad in the action scenes of the 1958 Championship. He's a Super Bowl MVP Quarterback in real life. No actor can play quarterback better than Joe Flacco. This will be groundbreaking."
3-26-13:
OLDER MOVIE GOERS ON THE RISE
The baby boomers are booming again. At least at the box office. According to a study by the Motion Picture Assn. of America, the number of older frequent moviegoers -- people over the age of 40 who see a movie once a month or more -- was on the rise last year.
3-12-13:
"UNITAS WE STAND" PERHAPS BY SUPER BOWL 48
Producers Joe Unitas and Chris Braun talk about "Unitas We Stand" on Philly Sports Live.
3-10-13:
The 1958 National Football League Championship Game was played on December 28, 1958 at Yankee Stadium in New York City. It was the first ever National Football League playoff game to go into sudden death overtime. The game has since become widely known as "The Greatest Game Ever Played".he 1958 National Football League Championship Game was played on December 28, 1958 at Yankee Stadium in New York City. It was the first ever National Football League playoff game to go into sudden death overtime. The game has since become widely known as "The Greatest Game Ever Played".
1-25-13:
THE SON OF JOHNNY UNITAS WILL BE IN NEW ORLEANS TO FINALIZE PRODUCTION DETAILS ON THE MOVIE ABOUT HIS FATHER
JOE UNITAS IS SEEKING A CURRENT NFL STAR QUARTERBACK TO PLAY HIS LEGENDARY FATHER IN HIS MOVIE “UNITAS WE STAND” BASED ON TOM CALLAHAN’S BEST SELLING BOOK
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 25, 2013 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
The last time Joe Unitas visited New Orleans he arrived on the heels of his heart-felt letter to Drew Brees, wishing the Saints’ quarterback good luck in breaking his father’s iconic record of most consecutive games throwing a touchdown pass. This time he’s coming to town during Super Bowl week seeking a star NFL quarterback to play his father, under the helmet, in his movie “Unitas We Stand”, which Unitas wrote along with Los Angeles writer Nick Slatkin. The screenplay is based on Tom Callahan’s bestseller “Johnny U: The Life and Times of Johnny Unitas”.
“I’ve already had discussions with Drew Brees and he told me that he would be honored to play my dad and has offered to help us in any way possible. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like Drew’s schedule fits our production schedule so he can’t commit to playing my dad”, says Unitas. “It would have been so cool for the man who broke my dad’s record to now play him in all of the football scenes but we’ve got our sites set on some other top quarterbacks who have great connections to my father and may have been inspired by him.”
Joe Unitas is passionate about football and he’s passionate about getting his film made about his father. He’s teamed up with a well-known New Orleans production company, Ghost Rider Pictures, and together they have formed Unitas Films, LLC in Louisiana. His plans are to produce the film between Louisiana and Maryland before the NFL begins training camp. Unitas and his producing partners Steven Scaffidi, Oley Sassone and Chris Braun have joined forces with several key organizations and companies who have strong NFL ties. The mission of Unitas Films is not only to make a great movie but to also give back to the community in the same way that Johnny Unitas did for much of his career. “USA Football and Gridiron Greats are now on board with us and will benefit through our Unitas Teammate Fund which reaps the benefits of the film’s profits just like an investor except that they will not bear any of the risk”, says Unitas. “USA Football is the official youth football development partner of the NFL and all 32 teams. Gridiron Greats is dedicated to helping retired players and their families deal with the hardships they face after football. My dad would have been proud of these two great organizations and his legacy lives on because of them.”
Joe Unitas will tell you that that his movie about his father is much more than just another film about football. On the film’s websitewww.unitaswestand.com Joe states: “UNITAS WE STAND is the story of my father’s pursuit of his childhood dream to be a professional football player; it’s a very special project of love and admiration. My father’s journey was fraught with obstacles and family struggles and through hard work and determination; he became the most unlikely, but arguably best quarterback to play in the National Football League.”
Joe Unitas is confident that he will find the right man to play his father under the helmet and on the silver screen. “We’ve got a great team in place to make the film and now we are putting all of the pieces in place to move into production as soon as possible. There are many powerful people in the movie business as well as investors who want to see this movie get made. It’s taken me personally over 7 years to get to this point but I’m not complaining. My dad’s road to the Hall of Fame wasn’t easy so why should it be any different for me.”
To speak with Joe Unitas please contact:
Steven Scaffidi
504-669-0189
stevenscaffidi@gmail.com
1-3-13:
UNITAS WE STAND NEWS FROM THE HADDOCK INVESTMENTS WEBSITE:
"Along with private equity investments, real estate developments, and Premier Marketing, Haddock Investments is now considering becoming involved in the film industry. At Mr. Haddock’s 50th birthday party, NFL legend Johnny Unitas and his son John discussed potential business arrangements with Mr. Haddock. Following the passing of Mr. Unitas, his other son, Joe Unitas, asked Mr. Haddock and Haddock Investments to become involved in the development of a motion picture based on Johnny Unitas’ life and career. The film, entitled “Unitas We Stand,” is based on Tom Callahan’s best-selling book, “Johnny U: The Life and Times of Johnny Unitas,” and was adapted for the screen by Joe Unitas and Nick Slatkin. The movie is scheduled to premier in 2014.
Haddock Investments may team up with the group behind “Unitas We Stand” in an investor capacity because of Mr. Haddock’s appreciation and admiration of the NFL star’s life and astounding career. Investing in the film industry would mark a new chapter for Haddock Investments. Check out this video to see the legend himself, Johnny Unitas, speak at Mr. Haddock’s 50th birthday party."
Read more: HADDOCK INVESTMENTS
12-19-12:
USA FOOTBALL AND GRIDIRON GREATS JOIN FORCES WITH UNITAS WE STAND
Unitas We Stand is proud to announce that USA Football and Gridiron Greats have become official Teammate Fund Partners. USA Football is football's national governing body, leads the game's development, inspires participation, and ensures a positive experience for all youth, high school, and other amateur players. USAF lead the development of the game through educational programs and innovative resources. Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund’s mission is to assist dire need retired NFL players who were pioneers of the game and who have greatly contributed to the NFL’s status as the most popular sport in America. GGAF provides hands on assistance to help retired players and their families deal with the hardships they face after football.
11-27-12:
NFL FILMS PRESENTS FEATURES JOE UNITAS AND HIS SCREENPLAY ABOUT HIS FATHER'S LIFE
Drew Brees receives a nice surprise from Joe Unitas, Johnny Unitas' son, before breaking the TD pass record. Take a look at this story of how the younger Unitas wrote a script to honor his father.
10-3-12:
DREW BREES TALKS ABOUT HIS LETTER FROM JOE UNITAS AT SAINTS PRESS CONFERENCE
Reporters question Drew about the prospects of breaking Johnny Unitas' record this Sunday on national television against the Chargers and the letter he received from Unitas' son Joe.
WWL RADIO (1:45 into the clip)
10-3-12:
JOHNNY UNITAS' SON CHEERS DREW BREES - FOX 8 TELEVISION
New Orleans, La. -
Johnny Unitas' son will cheer this weekend for Drew Brees, poised to break his dad's touchdown record. When Brees threw a touchdown pass to Marques Colston, he secured his place in the record books beside one of the greatest of all time: Johnny Unitas, number 19, the golden arm of the Baltimore Colts. Unitas passed away in 2002. Joe Unitas, one of the Hall of Fame quarterback's eight children, spoke to FOX 8 from his Las Vegas home. "He achieved the goal to be a professional football player and it's special. I still get choked up talking about it all the time," Joe said. Brees is one touchdown away from surpassing Unitas' record of 47 consecutive games with touchdowns. "I'm excited for him! My dad was not much for records. He always said they were meant to be broken. This is the last one of his that will be broken," Joe said. New Orleans film producer Steve Scaffidi is partnering with Unitas on a movie about his father's life. He talked about similarities between the two quarterbacks. "When Drew injured his shoulder and he was lying in the hospital. San Diego didn't want him; they went with [Philip] Rivers," said Scaffidi.
10-2-12:
LETTER FROM JOE UNITAS TO DREW BREES
October 2, 2012
Drew Brees
New Orleans Saints
5800 Airline Dr.
Metairie, LA 70003
Drew,
I wanted to take a minute to congratulate you on tying my father’s record for most consecutive games with a touchdown pass. I’ve been following your pursuit of the record since last season. I’m a big fan of yours, and wish you the best Sunday night against San Diego as you try to break the record. My father always said that records were meant to be broken. I know that if he was still with us that he would wish you the best as well.
When I look back on my father’s life I remember a man who was much bigger than the game of football. The things he would appreciate most about you have nothing to do with football; it’s about who you are as a person. You’re a role model for today’s youth, a family man, and a humanitarian who cares for his community. My father would tell you these are the important things in life, not some record in a book.
Continue to be a leader for your team and the City of New Orleans. You’re a great quarterback but even better man. Stay healthy and safe this week and in the future. My family and I will be watching Sunday night cheering for you. Best of luck.
Sincerely,
Joe Unitas
9-28-12:
UNITAS' SON HAS BOND WITH NEW ORLEANS AS BREES CHASES FATHER'S TD STREAK RECORD
9-26-12:
NEW ORLEANS HAS TIES TO JOHNNY UNITAS RECORD AND MOVIE BASED ON A NEW YORK TIMES BEST-SELLER
THE HALL-OF-FAME QUARTERBACK’S SON, JOE UNITAS, WISHES DREW BREES GOOD LUCK WHILE WORKING WITH NEW ORLEANS PRODUCERS ON AN INSPIRATIONAL MOVIE ABOUT HIS FATHER
NEW ORLEANS, LA – SEPTEMBER 26, 2012 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
The son of the legendary Hall-of-Fame quarterback, Johnny Unitas has two things in common with the city of New Orleans these days; First, he’s following Saints quarterback Drew Brees’ chase of his father’s record of 47 consecutive games with a touchdown pass; Second, he’s set up Unitas Films, LLC in New Orleans, LA to produce the film “Unitas We Stand”, a story about his father based on the best-seller written by Tom Callahan.
Since 1960, no quarterback has seriously challenged Unitas’ record until now as Drew Brees is just two games away from breaking a record which many thought would never be broken. “A lot of people told my dad he would never be a professional football player”, said Joe Unitas. “A lot of people said this record would never be broken. They were wrong on the first one. In two weeks we’ll find out if they were wrong on the second.”
Joe Unitas is a big fan of Brees and wishes him the best. “I am cheering for Drew and wish him luck in breaking the record. My father always said that records were meant to be broken. I know that if my Dad was still with us he would wish Drew luck in his pursuit. “
When Joe Unitas looks back on his father’s life he remembers the man who was much bigger than just the game of football. “The thing that my dad would appreciate most about Drew doesn’t have to do with football; it’s about who Drew is as a person. He’s a role model for today’s youth, a family man, and humanitarian who cares for his community. My father would tell you these are the important things in life, not records in a book.”
Joe Unitas will tell you that that his movie about his father is much more than just another film about football. On the film’s website www.unitaswestand.com Joe states: “UNITAS WE STAND is the story of my father’s pursuit of his childhood dream to be a professional football player; it’s a very special project of love and admiration. My father’s journey was fraught with obstacles and family struggles and through hard work and determination; he became the most unlikely, but arguably best quarterback to play in the National Football League.”
Johnny Unitas was a man who deeply cared about the integrity of the game and the people who dedicated their lives to the sport. “I’m sure my dad would have a lot to say about what is happening right now with the replacement officials”, says Unitas. “After that fiasco in Seattle I know he would stand up and express his views about what he thought was best for the game and the fans, just like Drew did. In many ways Drew and my dad have a lot in common. They both overcame tremendous odds to make it to the top of their craft and they both were good guys that our kids can look up to. I wish Drew the best of luck. He is a tremendous quarterback but an even better man.”
For more information contact producers:
Steven Scaffidi
Chris Braun
Chris Braun504-669-0189 408-838-2990
408-838-2990stevenscaffidi@gmail.com cbraun17@gmail.com
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